The University of Texas at Tyler
AmericanForeign Policy
Political Science 3315.001
Professor: Dr. Robert Sterken

Office: BUS 220

E-mail:

Office Hours: 10a to 11a and from 2p to 3:30p on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I welcome appointments.

Facebook:

Twitter: @rsterken

Course Description:This course explores American foreign policy from the eve of World War I to the present. Issues to be examined include the tension between isolationism and interventionism and between unilateralism and multilateralism; the emergence of the United States as a superpower; the Soviet-American confrontation; the rise of presidential power in foreign affairs; and the nature of American power in today’s world. In addition, we will endeavor to determine how historical knowledge and historical skills can be used to better understand the policymaking process and lead to more thoughtful discussion and debate about the pressing global challenges of our present moment.

/ Required Reading: The readings for the course can be accessed through Canvas. We will focus onAmerican Foreign Policy in a New Era| Edition: 1 Authors: Donald M. Snow and Patrick J. Haney. ISBN: 9780205210244

Course Requirements: This course will be taught through a combination of lectures, discussion, group work, and individual writing. Students are expected to complete all of the required reading prior to each session, to arrive in class on time, and to be fully prepared to discuss the day’s assignment. Attendance and participation will be assessed and factored into final grades. Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times.

Important note: In order to reduce distractions and encourage vigorous discussion, the use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones in class is strongly discouraged. Laptops may be used for group preparation and presentations. In special circumstances, I allow tablets for reading and note taking. If you feel that you absolutely cannot take notes by hand, please speak with me; if you’ve been authorized to use a tablet, make sure you are disconnected from the Internet.

The main objectives of this course are to help students develop the intellectual tools to think through the big issues in the study of US foreign policy, cultivate an ability to apply theory to the study of world politics, hone their critical thinking skills and practice articulating their informed views.

By the end of this course, students will:

1. Have developed a working knowledge of the history of US foreign policy and an understanding of the roles played by relevant actors.

2. Be able to apply (and critique the use of) relevant IR theories and FPA to explain and understand the American foreign policy making process and its outcomes.

3. Have developed practical knowledge of several pressing US foreign policy challenges, such as terrorism, preemptive war, and the environment, and be able to assess strategies for managing these issue areas.

4. Be able to evaluate foreign policy recommendations as historically informed, theoretically sophisticated citizens, scholars, and (perhaps) future policymakers.

To this end, students are expected to come to all class sessions ready to discuss the week’s readings and raise thoughtful questions about these readings, prior readings, or lecture points. Engaged, meaningful class participation and the focused application of critical thinking skills are the keys to success in this class.

There will be an in-class midterm and a final exam, in addition to five Canvas quizzes, the mechanics of which I will brief you on in the first week of class.

To advance their research and writing skills and add depth to their study of US foreign policy, students will design and produce (with the help and advisement of the instructor) a short (2000-3000 words) analytic paper exploring an aspect of US foreign policy that follows their individual interests.

Grading:

1. Attendance and in-class-participation 10%

2. Quizzes: 15% (Five (5) Completed in Canvas- see Canvas for due dates - late quizzes will be docked a complete letter grade).

3. Midterm Examination: 25% (about Oct. 18)

4. Research Paper: 20% - about 2000-3000 words, topic selection due Nov. 1, paper due in Canvas (late papers will be docked a complete letter grade).

5. Final Examination 30%.

/ UT Tyler Students Rights & Responsibilities
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GradeReplacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies: Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average.

Grade Replacement/Forgiveness and Census Date Policies: Students repeating a course for grade forgiveness (grade replacement) must file a Grade Replacement Contract with the Enrollment Services Center (ADM 230) on or before the Census Date of the semester in which the course will be repeated. Grade Replacement Contracts are available in the Enrollment Services Center or at Each semester’s Census Date can be found on the Contract itself, on the Academic Calendar, or in the information pamphlets published each semester by the Office of the Registrar. Failure to file a Grade Replacement Contract will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your overall grade point average.

Undergraduates are eligible to exercise grade replacement for only three-course repeats during their career at UT Tyler; graduates are eligible for two grade replacements. Full policy details are printed on each Grade Replacement Contract.

The Census Date is the deadline for many forms and enrollment actions that students need to be aware of. These include: Submitting Grade Replacement Contracts, Transient Forms, requests to withhold directory information, approvals for taking courses as Audit, Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit. Receiving 100% refunds for partial withdrawals. (There is no refund for these after the Census Date) Schedule adjustments (section changes, adding a new class, dropping without a “W” grade) Being reinstated or re-enrolled in classes after being dropped for non-payment Completing the process for tuition exemptions or waivers through Financial Aid State-Mandated Course Drop Policy: Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year Texas public college or university. For purposes of this rule, a dropped course is any course that is dropped after the census date (See Academic Calendar for the specific date). Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for exemptions must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Center and must be accompanied by documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Enrollment Services Center if you have any questions.

Disability/Accessibility Services: In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) the University of Tyler at Texas offers accommodations to students with learning, physical and/or psychological disabilities. If you have a disability, including non-visible a diagnosis such as a learning disorder, chronic illness, TBI, PTSD, ADHD, or you have a history of modifications or accommodations in a previous educational environment, you are encouraged to visit fill out the New Student application. The Student Accessibility and Resources (SAR) office will contact you when your application has been submitted and an appointment with Cynthia Lowery, Assistant Director Student Services/ADA Coordinator. For more information, including filling out an application for services, please visit the SAR web page at the SAR office located in the University Center, # 3150 or call 903.566.7079. Student Absence due to Religious Observance: Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor of such absences by the second-class meeting of the semester.

Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities: If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date and time when make-up assignments will be completed.

Social Security and FERPA Statement: It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades will not be transmitted electronically. Emergency Exits and Evacuation: Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class. Do not reenter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention Services.

Campus Carry: We respect the right and privacy of students 21 and over who are duly licensed to carry concealed weapons in this class. License holders are expected to behave responsibly and keep a handgun secure and concealed. More information is available at

UT Tyler a Tobacco-Free University: All forms of tobacco will not be permitted on the UT Tyler main campus, branch campuses, and any property owned by UT Tyler. This applies to all members of the University community, including students, faculty, staff, University affiliates, contractors, and visitors. Forms of tobacco not permitted include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, and all other tobacco products. There are several cessation programs available to students looking to quit smoking, including counseling, quitlines, and group support. For more information on cessation programs please visit